Chair

ABSTRACT

A chair is disclosed having inner and outer shells joined together at the outer periphery with intermediate portions of the shell spaced from one another. The inner shell has padding secured to its upper surface over which lies a removable seat cover. A base is connected to a mounting plate which is disposed between the shells.

United States Patent [191 Harnick July 16, 1974 [5 CHAIR 3,026,145 3/1962 Galbraith 297/455 3,497,260 2/ l 970 [75] Inventor: Park, 3,669,499 6/1972 Semplonius et al 297/455 73 Assignee; Blair Manufacturing Co" Marietta, 3,722,950 3/1973 Harnick ..'297/2i8 Ga. Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin [22] Flled: May 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Seidel, Gonda & [2]] Appl. No.: 359,819 Goldhammer 52 US. Cl 297/455, 297/218, 297/325, [571 5 ABSTRACT 297/421 A chair is disclosed having inner and outer shells [51] Int. Cl A47c 7/02, A47c 23/00, A47c 7/00 joined together at the outer periphery with intermedi- [58] Field of Search 297/218, 453, 455, 456, ate portions of the he spac o on no er. he

297/458, 459 inner shell has padding secured to its upper surface over which lies a removable seat cover. A .base is con- [56] Re'ferences'Cited nected to amounting plate which is disposed between UNITEDSTATES PATENTS the Shells I 2,208,745 7/1940 Bloomberg 297/459 11 Claims, 91Dra wing Figures CHAIR The present invention is directed to a chair structurally interrelated in a manner so as to have good aesthetic appearance, facilitate ease of manufacture and assembly, while having good durability.' The chair is preferably constructed in a manner so that the upholstery cover is readily removable for purposes of repair or replacement.

The present invention includes an integral seat and back adapted for use as a single chair or for use in multiple seating. Inmultiple seating, a plurality of seat and back units are mounted on a common base. The chair is preferably comprised of an inner shell of rigid material having padding secured thereto. An upholstery cover overlies the padding material and is preferably removably secured to the inner shell as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,950. The disclosure in said patent is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,669,499 and said U.S.- Pat. No. 3,722,950, the inner shell is secured to the base by fastening means extending through holes in the seat portion of the outer shell. In order. to separate the shells to facilitate re- I moval and/or replacement of the upholstery cover, it is necessary to disassemble'the relationship between the base and the shells. In the chair of the presentinvention, only the outer shell is secured to the base. Hence, when the innerand outer shells are disassembled with respect to one another, the outer shell remains coupled to the base. The inner and outer shells are removably secured to each other at their peripheries by fastening means at spaced locations which rigidly couple the shells together. The fastening means facilitates transmission of load from the inner shell to the outer shell.

A rigid mounting plate is removably secured to the inner surface of the seat portion of the outer shell so as to be disposed between the inner and outer shells. The bottom surface on the seat portion of the inner shell may be in intimate contact with and supported by the mounting plate. Fastening means removably secure the mounting plate to the base and the seat portion of the outer shell. The seat portion ofthe outer shell and the mounting plate are preferably provided with a slot or opening to accommodate a portion of the control mechanism whereby the chair may tilt with respect to its base. The base may be provided with casters, if desired. The chair may be made with or withoutarms. For purposes of disclosure, the chair of the present invention will be illustrated and described with arms.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel chair seat and back unit. i

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chair seat and back unit comprised of inner and outer shells removably secured together at their peripheries with the outer shell being secured to a base in a manner whereby the inner shell may be removed without interfering with the base and outer shell.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel chair which is sturdy, durable, easy to assemble, while being attractive and adapted for use in single and multiple seating.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair in accordance with the present invention. FIG; 2 is a side elevation view of an arm which may be used on the chair in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.: I

FIG. 4 is a partialelevation view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6'is an exploded partial perspective view of the base and seat portions of the shells.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 in FIG. 1. 7

FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional views similar to FIG. 7

but showing different embodiments of the presentinvention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like nume'rals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a chair in accordance with the present invention desigated generallly as 10. The major components of the chair 10'include the seat 12, back 14', base 16, and the 1 arms 18, 20.

The seat 12 and back 14 arean integral unit defined by-an inner shell 22 and an outer shell 24. The shells 22 and 24 are of the same general configuration and are removably coupled together at spaced points along their periphery by fastening means such as screws 26.

Intermediate portions of the shells 22 and 24 are spaced from one another by the air gap 23. See FIG. 7.

The thickness of the shell 22 is increased at its periphery. See FIG. 7. The shells'are preferably secured together at their peripheries by screws 26, but other fastening means may be utilized which facilitate separation of the shells when desired. Padding 28, which may be conventional in construction, is secured to the upper surface of inner shell 22 so as to be carried thereby.

Conventional means such as adhesives may be used to A bumper strip 32 is secured to the periphery of the outer shell 24in any concenient manner. As shown more clearly in FIG. 7, the bumper strip 32 is generally -shaped in cross section with one edge portion removably secured to the inner surface of shell 24 by means of a staple. The other edge portion extends around the periphery of shell 24 for a sufficient distance so as to overlap and conceal the head on screw 26. Bumper strip 32 provides a finish for the periphery of the outer shell, adds an attractive appearance to the shell, and occupies any gap between the peripheries of the shells 22 and 24.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be noted that the seat portion of the outer shell 24 is provided with a recessed portion 34. The recessed portion 34 is generally rectangular and includes mounting holes 36, 38, 40 and 42.- Each of said mounting holes is generally located adjacent a corner of the rectangular recessed portion 34. The recessed portion 34 also includes a plurality of air holes 46. While six such air holes46 are illustrated, a

. The recessed portion 34 of the outer shell 24 is provided with an enlarged opening or slot 44. The purpose of slot 44 will be made clear hereinafter. The recessed portion 34 also may include temporary mounting holes 48. The purpose of the temporary mounting holes 48 will be made clear hereinafter.

v A rigid mounting plate 50 is disposed between the shells 22 and Plate 50 has the same general configuration as the recessed portion 34 and overlies the same. The plate. 50 is made from a rigid material which is preferably metal, such as steel, bronze, brass, aluminum alloys, etc. If desired, the rigid plate50 could be made from non-metallic material such as plywood. The plate 50 is preferably of sufficient thickness'so that fastening means such as screws or bolts may be connected thereto. In a preferred embodimenh the plate 50 is 43 inch thick steel plate. r The plate 50 has an arrangement of holes therein which generally conforms to the arrangement of holes in the recessed portion 34. Thus, threaded mounting holes 52, 54, 56 and 58 are providedadjacent the corners of the mounting plate 50. Holes 52-58 are actually aligned with but smaller than the holes 36-42-respectively. Plate 50 is provided with mounting holes 62 which 'are' threaded and smaller than but aligned with the temporary mounting holes 48. Plate 50 alsoincludes an opening or slot 64 which is aligned with and preferably the same size as the opening or slot 44.

i A flat portion of the seat portion of inner shell 22 overlies and is supported by the mounting plate 50. This portion of the inner shell 22, as shown vmore clearly in FIG. 6, has clearance holes 66, 68,.70 and 72. The clearance holes 66-7 2 are generally of the same size or larger than the clearance holes 36-42 and are aligned therewith. The seat portion of the inner shell 22 is also provided with air holes 74 which are aligned with the air holes 60 in the plate 50 and air holes 46 in the recessed portion 34 of the outer shell 24.

The base 16 may assume a wide variety of configurations. For purposes of illustration, the base 16 in FIG. 6 includes a tilt control mechanismdesignated generally as 78 and mounted at'the upper end-of post 80. Mechanism 78 includes horizontally disposed brackets 82 and 84. Mechanism 78 is, per se, conventional and includes a foot-member 86 which moves upwardly when the chair is tilted as the person sitting therein leans backwardly. The openings or slots 44 and 64 accommodate the upward movement of the foot member 86. I

The mechanism 78 is removably secured to the plate 50 by means of a plurality of boltsincluding bolts 88 and 90. Bolt 88 extends through a hole in bracket 84,

through the clearance hole 40 in the recessed portion 34, is threadedly secured to the hole 56 in mounting plate 50, and may project upwardly into the clearance hole 70 disposed in the inner 'shell 22. Similarly, bolt 90 extends through a'hole in the bracket 84, through the clearance hole 38 in the recessed portion 34, and threadedly secured to the hole.54 in plate 50, and may continue into the clearance hole 68 of the inner shell 22. The opposite side of the mechanism 78 is similarly coupled to the plate 50 and the shells 22 and 24.

From the above description, it will be noted that the base 16 isremovably connected to the seat portion of the outer shell 22 and the mounting plate 50 without any connection between the base 16 and the inner shell 22. The inner and outer shells 22 and 24 are only directly connected to one anotherby the fastening means at their peripheries, such asthe screws 26. Thus, re-

moval of the screws 26 to facilitate changing or repair of the upholstery cover 30 does not in any way disturb the coupling between the outer shell 24 and the base 16. Further, such coupling between the outer shell 24 and the base 16 may facilitate assembly in the field and- /or assembly in the factory whereby the assembly of the chair 10 may be accomplished more expeditiously. In FIG. 8, there is shown a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but illustrating another embodiment ofa chair designated 10. The chair 10' is identical with the chair 10 except as will be made clear hereinafter. Thus, an intermediate mounting plate 92 isprovided between the brackets on the control mechanism 78 and the recessed portion 34 of the outer shell 24. The plate 92' openings or slots 44,64, aswell as the air holes and temporary mounting holes.

In FIG-9, there is illustrated a sectional view similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 but of another embodiment of a chair designated l0" The chair 10" is identical with the chairs 10 and 10' except as will be made clear hereinafter. Thus, in chair 10', the plate 92 is fixedly secured to the upper end of the mounting post Thus, the chair 10' does not have any tilt control mechanism.

When the chair and seat unit is utilized on multiple seating, it is desirable to properly locate the rigid mounting plate 50 between the shells 22 and 24 at the factory but at the same time ship the seat and back units to the ultimate destination in a manner whereby they are not bolted to the common base. In order-to prevent the mounting plate 50 from shifting during shipping, a temporary bolt will extend through the holes 48 and be threadedly secured in the hole 62. This will maintain the mounting plate 50 in a proper location so that the mounting holes 5258 will always remain aligned with the clearance holes 36-42.

As indicated heretofore, the chair 10 may be of the armless type. If arms 18 and 20 are to be provided, they are preferably constructed as shown in FIGS. l-5. The arms 18 and 20 areidentical except for being of the lefthand or righthand. Thus, only arm 18 will be described in detail.

The arm 18 is preferably in the form of an endless loop of varying cross-sectional configurations with the upper arm portion 94 wider than therernaining portions such as portions 96 and 104. The arm 18 may be made from a variety of materials, but is preferably made from a polymeric plastic material, with or without internal reinforcement, such as ABS, urethane, styrenes, nylon, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the arm 18 is injection molded from ABS sold commercially under the trademark Gycolac. The arm 18 is secured to the lowermost surface on the shell 22, by a plurality of brackets such as brackets 98, 100, 102. See FIGS. 2 and 5.

The brackets 98-102 may be of plastic integral with the polymeric plastic from which the arm 18 is made. Alternatively, the brackets 98-102 may be of sheet metal molded in place in the plastic arm when the arm is made or the brackets may be integral with any metallic internal reinforcement or core for the arm 18. The brackets 98-102, as shown, are inclined downwardly, extend horizontally, and then are inclined downwardly so as to extend between the periphery of the shells. The portion of the brackets 98-102 between the periphery of the shells 22 and 24 is provided with preformed mounting holes. Separate fastening means such as screws may be utilized to secure the brackets 98-102 to the inner shell 22 as shown in FIG. 5. Instead of having a plurality of separate brackets 98-102, it is within the scope of the present invention to have one single elongated mounting bracket arm 18.

The upholstery covering 30 may be of the tufted type as shown in my above-mentioned US. Pat. No. 3,722,950. The inner shell 22 is a rigid shell which may be made from a wide variety of conventional processes and materials. The inner shell is preferably formed from rigid expanded polystyrene, but may be made from ABS, fiberglass reinforced polymeric plastics, nylon, polypropylene, etc. The outer shell may be formed in a wide variety of processes from a variety of materials including polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, ABS, nylon, fiberglass reinforced polymeric plastics, etc. The outer shell is preferably made from a high density polyethylene having a nominal thickness of one-fourth inch.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should bemade to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A chair seat and back unit comprising an inner shell of rigid material, an outer shell of substantially the same shape as said inner shell, said shells having juxtaposed peripheries with inner portions of the shells being spaced from one another by an air gap, fastening means removably securing the peripheries of said shells at spaced locations, and a rigid mounting plate removably secured to the seat portion of the outer shell, said mounting plate being disposed between said shells, said mounting plate and the seat portion of the outer shell having aligned air holes.

2. A chair seat and back unit. in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mounting plate and outer shell have an enlarged opening in alignment for receiving a foot member on a tilt control mechanism, and a tilt control mechanism secured to said mounting plate by fastening means extending through clearance holes in said outer shell whereby a foot member-on said tilt control mechanism projects upwardly into said aligned enlarged. openings during use. i

3. A chair seat and back unit in accordance with claim 1 including a base, said base being secured to said mounting plate by fastening means extending through clearance holes in said outer shell. 7

4. A chair seat and back unit in accordance with claim 1 includinga second rigid plate, said second rigid plate being aligned with said first-mentioned rigid inner shell has a flat portion on its lower surface which rests on said plate, and said inner shell portion having clearance holes larger than and aligned with threaded mounting holes in said plate.

6. A chair in accordance with claim 1 including means temporarily maintaining said air holes in alignment during shipment whereby the mounting plate is prevented from shifting with respect to the outer shell.

7. A chair comprising an inner shell of rigid polymeric plastic material, said shell including an integral seat and back, an outer shell of polymeric plastic mate rial having substantially the same shape as said inner shell, said shell having juxtaposed peripheries with inner portions of the seat and back of the shells being spaced from one another by an air gap, fastening means removably securing only the peripheries of said shells at spaced locations, a rigid mounting plate removably secured to the seat portion of the outer shell and between said shells, said mounting plate and seat portion of the outer shell having aligned holes, a base, fastening means extending from said base to said plate through clearance holes in said outer shell for clamping the seat portion of said outer shell between said base and mounting plate.

8. A chair in accordance with claim 7 wherein said inner shell has clearance holes aligned with the lastmentioned fastening means for receiving a portion of the last-mentioned fastening means.

9. A chair in accordance with claim 7 wherein said mounting plate and seat portion of the outer shell have an enlarged opening through which a portion of a tilt control mechanism extends said base including a tilt control mechanism to facilitate tilting of the shells with respect to a stationary portion of the base.

10. A chair in accordance with claim 7 including a second rigid plate aligned with said first mentioned mounting plate, said last mentioned fastening means clamping the seat portion of the outer shell between said plates.

11. A chair in accordance with claim 7 including arm members in the form of an endless loop, at least one bracket on each arm member, each bracket having a portion extending into the space between the shells, and fastening means securing each bracket to the inner shell. 

1. A chair seat and back unit comprising an inner shell of rigid material, an outer shell of substantially the same shape as said inner shell, said shells having juxtaposed peripheries with inner portions of the shells being spaced from one another by an air gap, fastening means removably securing the peripheries of said shells at spaced locations, and a rigid mounting plate removably secured to the seat portion of the outer shell, said mounting plate being disposed between said shells, said mounting plate and the seat portion of the outer shell having aligned air holes.
 2. A chair seat and back unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mounting plate and outer shell have an enlarged opening in alignment for receiving a foot member on a tilt control mechanism, and a tilt control mechanism secured to said mounting plate by fastening means extending through clearance holes in said outer shell whereby a foot member on said tilt control mechanism projects upwardly into said aligned enlarged openings during use.
 3. A chair seat and back unit in accordance with claim 1 including a base, said base being secured to said mounting plate by fastening means extending through clearance holes in said outer shell.
 4. A chair seat and back unit in accordance with claim 1 including a second rigid plate, said second rigid plate being aligned with said first-mentioned rigid mounting plate, the seat portion of said outer shell being disposed between said rigid plates, and fastening means extending through clearance holes in said outer shell and connecting said plates together with said outer shell having its seat portion clamped between said plates.
 5. A chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inner shell has a flat portion on its lower surface which rests on said plate, and said inner shell portion having clearance holes larger than and aligned with threaded mounting holes in said plate.
 6. A chair in accordance with claim 1 including means temporarily maintaining said air holes in alignment during shipment whereby the mounting plate is prevented from shifting with respect to the outer shell.
 7. A chair comprising an inner shell of rigid polymeric plastic material, said shell including an integral seat and back, an outer shell of polymeric plastic material having substantially the same shape as said inner shell, said shell having juxtaposed peripheries with inner portions of the seat and back of the shells being spaced from one another by an air gap, fastening means removably securing only the peripheries of said shells at spaced locations, a rigid mounting plate removably secured to the seat portion of the outer shell and between said shells, said mounting plate and seat portion of the outer shell having aligned holes, a base, fastening means extending from said base to said plate through clearance holes in said outer shell for clamping the seat portion of said outer shell between said base and mounting plate.
 8. A chair in accordance with claim 7 wherein said inner shell has clearance holes aligned with the last-mentioned fastening means for receiving a portion of the last-mentioned fastening means.
 9. A chair in accordance with claim 7 wherein said mounting plate and seat portion of the outer shell have an enlarged opening through which a portion of a tilt control mechanism extends said base including a tilt control mechanism to facilitate tilting of the shells with respect to a stationary Portion of the base.
 10. A chair in accordance with claim 7 including a second rigid plate aligned with said first mentioned mounting plate, said last mentioned fastening means clamping the seat portion of the outer shell between said plates.
 11. A chair in accordance with claim 7 including arm members in the form of an endless loop, at least one bracket on each arm member, each bracket having a portion extending into the space between the shells, and fastening means securing each bracket to the inner shell. 